Need a last minute gift?

[Jaszy McAllister]

The Modern Hippie Mag Green Giving Guide won’t end with this holiday season, but I thought I should give you one more installment before the big holiday. So if you’re making last ditch efforts to purchase green gifts for loved ones and live in close proximity to downtown Sarasota FL, take heart, green and eco-friendly gifts abound. Support local and independently owned stores and purchase gifts that give back to communities and the planet.

Notepatch, (www.notepatch.com) owned by local entrepreneurs Barbara Sela and Vanessa Winter-Stafford, features original artwork coloring books and activity books printed on recycled paper using soy inks. They are the perfect size for little hands in a 5 ½ x 5 ½ and 6 ½ x 6 ½ format, $3.99 each. Purchase at several Florida locations including Toy Lab on Main Street which is possibly the coolest toy store ever! Toy Lab specializes in old fashioned style toys, wooden blocks, puppets, puzzles, and more.

Toy Lab, 1529 Main Street, Sarasota FL 34236 (map it), [phone]

Don’t forget to get Natural Soy Crayons ($5.49) by Clementine Art, (www.clementineart.com) or quick drying Natural Markers made with natural plant and mineral pigments ($6.79) for the coloring books. Clementine Art supplies are natural, certified non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Available locally at Whole Foods.

Also located downtown is a Ten Thousand Villages shop, a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations. There are quite a few fair trade and green gifts under $20.

Dishwasher safe, Set of 4 recycled glass drinking glasses, $24 (a matching pitcher is also available).

Ten Thousand Villages, 45 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota FL 34236 (map it), [phone]

Give the gift of beauty, treat that special someone to a healthier salon experience with services from BD Michaels, (www.bdmichaels.com) Sarasota’s premiere Green Salon featuring organic beauty products that are free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and other icky stuff. Plus you’ll never meet a more friendly stylist. Erin has over 10 years experience having worked in Aveda Salons before opening her very own.

BD Michaels, 7119 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34231 (map it), [phone]

Scoot over to Butterfly Effect to scoop up gift sets of yummy body butters and sugar body scrubs from LaLicious. Made with natural ingredients including soothing and conditioning oils such as almond oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil, all LaLicious products are paraben and sulfate free.


Great to sample or for travel. Set of 3- 2oz Body Butters in a beautiful white, hand-made gift box with chocolate brown bow or a set 3- 2oz Sugar Soufflé Scrubs in a chic gift box! Available in 9 amazing scents Sugar Kiss, Brown Sugar & Vanilla, Coconut Cream, Lily Mango, Passion Lime, Island Guava, Tahitian Flower, Peppermint and Coffee Bean.


Fellas, you can’t go wrong with a gift of jewelry. Also available at Butterfly Effect, eco-conscious Jaszy's Jewelry made by yours truly. I am so not ashamed to plug my own stuff! Most items are one of a kind and made with recycled metals and/or ethically sourced gemstones.

Available at Butterfly Effect located in the Citrus Square Plaza, 451 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota FL 34236 (map it), [phone]


Got a bit more change in your pocket to spend? Take a stop by Juno and Jove boutique for ultra luxury sustainable gifts for him, her, home and pooch. Being the practical spender that I am though, I found these Set of 3 Frigoverre Plus Containers, $20 (regularly $35). Set includes one 60 oz. square; 44 oz. round; & 29 oz. rectangular with air-tight seals and easy grip sides. Perfect for microwave use, refrigerator storage, and freezer use they are dishwasher safe and shock resistant. Made in Italy. Oh, la la!

Juno and Jove, 100 Central Avenue at Second Street in the Whole Foods Plaza, Sarasota FL 34236 (map it), [phone].

So there are some of my local picks for green and eco-friendly gifts for you last minute souls. Many of the other really cool gift and giving ideas that Modern Hippie Mag featured in previous Green Giving Guide installments Vol 1, Vol 2 and Vol 3 may still be available after the holidays so be sure to check them out.

Of course the greatest gift you can give this and every season is the gift of your time and appreciation for those dear to you.